In examining the work of contemporary women poets that engages explicitly with philosophical ideas, this module aims to: Demonstrate how the formation of a strong identity politics was key to an evolving feminism and the development of women's poetry in the twentieth century; Explore the relationship between language and identity in the contemporary lyric as written by women; and
Evaluate the philosophical positions and gender politics of contemporary women poets in the context of feminist post-structuralist theory

(LO1) By completion of the module, students should be able to:Demonstrate an informed critical engagement with the relevant literary, cultural and philosophical contexts of the works and issues examined;

(LO2) Put into practice advanced skills in textual analysis, critical reading, and writing in the context of contemporary women's poetry;

(LO3) Research, read, and think both independently and sensitively about the works studied

(LO4) Evaluate and communicate effectively both their own and others’ ideas concerning contemporary women's poetry.

(S1) Communication (oral, written and visual) - Presentation skills - written

(S2) Skills in using technology - Information accessing

(S3) Working in groups and teams - Listening skills

(S4) Critical thinking and problem solving - Critical analysis

(S5) Research Skills - awareness of/commitment to academic integrity

Sessions will focus in particular, but not exclusively, on the recourse to the writings of Wittgenstein and Emerson by six women poets: Veronica Forrest-Thomson (b. 1947), Denise Riley (b. 1948),  Jorie Graham (b. 1950),  Bhanu Kapil (b. 1968), Juliana Spahr (b 1969) and Sarah Howe (b. 1983) Veronica Forrest-Thomson, Collected Poems (Shearsman, 2008) Jorie Graham, From the New World: Poems1976-2014  (Carcanet, 2015)  Denise Riley, Selected Poems (Reality Street Editions, 2000). Juliana Spahr, That Winter the Wolf Came (Commune  Editions, 2015) Bhanu Kapil, Schizophrene (Nightboat Books, 2011)  and Banlieu (Nightboat Books, 2015) Sarah Howe, Loop of Jade (Chatto and Windus, 2015).

Teaching Method 1 - Seminar
Description: Fortnightly 2-hour seminars
Attendance Recorded: Not yet decided
Notes: Over the course of six fortnightly 2-hour seminar groups each focused on a particular poet, group of poets or theme, students will learn how to debate and analyse poetic form alongside philosophical and theoretical texts, and in the light of political and cultural debates. Students will be encouraged to read around the subject area (via tutor suggestions and their own independent reading) and bring this knowledge to the seminar discussion. To promote self-directed learning, students will be invited to devise (in consultation with a tutor) suitable titles for their assessed essays.